Outdoor Notes: In Season

Raccoon, Bobcat, Squirrel & Opossum – through Feb. 29 (note: no open season on fox squirrels in Craven Co.)

Striped bass – through Apr. 30 in the Neuse River and its tributaries

Controlled shooting preserves – through Mar. 31

Ducks, mergansers, coots and Canada geese – through Jan. 28

Tundra swan – through Jan. 31

Woodcock – through Jan. 28

Quail & rabbit – through Feb. 29

Pheasant – through Feb. 1 (male pheasant only)

Wildlife Commission now on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube

Hunters, anglers and wildlife enthusiasts now have more ways than ever to receive the most up-to-date information from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Constituents can now "like" the Commission on Facebook and follow it on Twitter to see the latest news releases, view photos, get updates on fishing and boating, learn of new regulations or just find out about wildlife and the outdoors in North Carolina. Links to the Commission’s social media options will be posted on the bottom, right corner of the agency’s newly redesigned website, www.ncwildlife.org. The public can also go online to receive N.C. Wildlife Update, a periodic newsletter featuring season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more.

Calendar

Feb. 10-12 – The 17th annual East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival and North Carolina Decoy Carving Championships will be held in downtown Washington, NC. The event will include a DockDogs competition, the Southern Classic Duck, Goose and Swan Calling Championships, over 150 exhibitors, and much more. More information is available online at www.eastcarolinawildfowlguild.com

Feb. 17 – Goose Creek State Park, off Hwy. 264 east of Washington, NC, invites star-gazers to come out at 6:30 p.m. and join knowledgeable guides as they take advantage of a waning moon to observe and discuss deep sky objects, including Mercury which can only be seen in the early evening sky during February. Phone 252-923-2191 for directions or additional details.

Feb. 26 – The first seminar in the Coastal Catchin’ Series will be held at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center. The all-day event will feature Capt. Gary Dubiel, Capt. Dave Stewart, Bob Barwick and others explaining how to catch more striped bass in the Neuse and Pamlico river systems. Tickets ($25 in advance) are available at 252-249-1520 or online at captgary@specfever.com. Seating will be limited.